Empowering the Next Generation: Education as a Path to Peace in Ethiopia

“We need peace, education, and investment to strengthen our industry and export products whose proceeds can be reinvested in the national economy to create more factories and jobs,” recently declared His Eminence, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa, in an interview with Agenzia Fides.

During the interview, Cardinal Berhaneyesus emphasised the importance of providing sustainable opportunities for the youth of the country to develop the economy and foster growth. Catholic Mission has partnered with for many years with the local Church for many years to provide educational pathways to children.

“We need to train young people for professions in their own countries, so that even if they go abroad, they are well paid and respected. We ask you to help us train our young people,” said Cardinal Berhaneyesus.

Nevertheless, the ethnic conflicts happening in the country are making access to education difficult in some parts.

“Every war leaves many people affected, not only in their bodies, but also in their souls and spirits. These are often women, children, and the elderly, in addition to the soldiers who are fighting. The Church wants to offer help in the social, psychological, spiritual, and trauma treatment areas. Particular attention must be given to children and their mothers; I remind you that many children cannot go to school because several school buildings have been destroyed,” highlighted Cardinal Berhaneyesus.

Despite this, there is hope for peace as discussions are taking place between opposing parties to find a peaceful agreement.

“There is always hope. Ethiopia is a very old Christian country in which the majority of the population is Christian. Ethiopia as a country was not born 50 years ago; it has a history of at least three thousand years of peaceful coexistence between religions,” said Cardinal Berhaneyesus.

To provide tangible assistance and create pathways for the youth to develop their education and shape their own career paths, Catholic Mission, alongside the Church in Ethiopia, is currently contributing to educational projects in the capital Addis Ababa, through the support of Lideta Catholic Cathedral School.

More than providing scholarships, Catholic Mission is working with our local partners on the ground to create a sustainable income for the school to further support its students who could not otherwise afford to attend.

The Lideta Catholic Cathedral School impact investment project stands as a great example in the community, as it has enabled many students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access high-quality education and, furthermore, to build a peaceful future.